B. M. Vyas Is No More

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MARCH 15 , 2013           00.50 A.M.

A veteran actor of mythological and some social Hindi films , Shri B. M. Vyas died on March 11 , 2013 at the age of 93 in Mumbai .

B. M. Vyas in His Younger Days

Famous for his portrayal of Ravan in several mythological films , Shri B. M. Vyas started his career with Chetan Anand’s ” Neecha Nagar “ but was noticed with Raj Kapoor’s ” Barsaat “  in 1949 . He acted in over 300 mythological and social films including films like ” Baiju Bawra ” , ” Do Aankhen Barah Haath “ and ” Sarawasti Chandra ” . His last big film was Shah Rukh Khan starrer ” Oh Darling Yeh Hai India ” .

As Ravan in ” Sampoorn Ramayan “

Some Famous Films of B. M. Vyas As An Actor

============================================

Hatyarin , Chhath Maiya Ki Mahima , Har Har Gange 1979 , Jai Mahalaxmi Maa ,  Daku Aur Bhagwan , Toofan 1975 , Jay Jwala , Ek Paheli , Harishchandra Taramati , Har Har Gange , Nawab Sirazuddaula , Saraswati Chandra , Jadu ,  Jahan Sati Wahim Bhagawan , SEE RANK Maharaja Vikram , Hercules ,  Harishchandra Taramati 1963 , Lal Quila 1961 , Amar Shaheed , Howrah Express , Saranga , Sampoorna Ramayan , Chand Mere Aja , Chaand Mere Aaja ,  Chandra Mukhi , Chand Ki Duniya , Samrat Chandragupt , Janam Janam Ke Phere , Rani Roopmati , Tumsa Nahin Dekha 1957 , Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke ,  Awara , Aastik , Hatimtai , Veer Rajputani , Tilottama , Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu  & Baiju Bawra

There are some other famous films of Shri B. M. Vyas , which I would like to mention for the benefit of new generation :

Movies of B.M. Vyas

Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag (1952) Mahipal, Meena Kumari, B.M. Vyas, S.N. Tripathi, W.M. Khan, Jillo, Babu Raje, Azim, Raja Sandow P.K., Urmila, Vasantrao Pahelwan, Amarnath, M.K. Hasan, Bismillah, Dalpat Watch Online Alibaba And 40 Thieves (1966) Sanjeev Kumar, L. Vijayalakshmi, Indira, Tabassum, B.M. Vyas, David, Veena, S.N. Tripathi Watch Online Alibaba and Forty Thieves (1954) Mahipal, Sharda, B.M. Vyas, S.N. Tripathi, Dalpat, Maruti Rao, Azim, Lalita Kumari, Sardar Mansur Watch Online Amber (1952) Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Agha, Bipin Gupta, Ramesh Sinha, Samson, S.B. Nayampalli, B.M. Vyas, Cuckoo, Tanuja Watch Online Awara (1951) Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Nargis, K.N. Singh, Shashi Kapoor, B.M. Vyas, Leela Mishra, Leela Chitnis, Om Prakash Mehra, Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, Helen Watch Online Baghavat (1982) Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Reena Roy, Amjad Khan, Urmila Bhatt, Birbal, Padma Chavan, Viju Khote, Sujit Kumar, Manmauji, B.M. Vyas, Dinesh Thakur Watch Online Baiju Bawra (1952) Meena Kumari, Bharat Bhushan, Bipin Gupta, B.M. Vyas, Surendra, Kuldip Kaur, Mishra, Kesari, Radhakrishan, Tabassum, Rai Mohan Watch Online Barsaat (1949) Raj Kapoor, Nargis, K.N. Singh, Prem Nath, Cuckoo, Nimmi, B.M. Vyas, Ratan Gaurang, Vishwa Mehra Watch Online Bhagwan Samaye Sansar Mein (1976) Ashish Kumar, Kanan Kaushal, Abhi Bhattacharya, B.M. Vyas, Jayshree T., Mohan Choti, Jeevan, Alankar Joshi, Lalita Kumari, Hansa Lokhande, Sunder, Chand Usmani Watch Online Char Dervesh (1964) Feroz Khan, Sayeeda Khan, Kumari Naaz, Ratnamala, Jeevan Kala, Paul Sharma, B.M. Vyas, Mukri, Sunder, Amarnath, W.M. Khan, Pal Sharma, Sardar Mansur, Nazir Kashmiri, Dalpat Watch Online Do Ankhen Barah Haath (1957) Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram, Sandhya, Ulhas, B.M. Vyas, Paul Sharma, S.K. Singh, Shankarrao Bhosle Watch Online Duniya Jhukti Hai (1960) Sunil Dutt, Shyama, B.M. Vyas, Kumkum, Agha, Wasti, W.M. Khan, Habib, Daisy Irani Watch Online Ek Paheli (1971) Sanjeev Kumar, Feroz Khan, Tanuja, Rajendra Nath, Madan Puri, Jeevan, Aruna Irani, Manohar Deepak, Bipin Gupta, Uma Khosla, B.M. Vyas, Tun Tun Watch Online Harishchandra Taramati (1963) Prithviraj Kapoor, Jaymala, B.M. Vyas, Helen, Ulhas, Ramayan Tiwari, Babu Raje, P. Kailash, Babloo Watch Online Hatim Tai (1956) Jairaj, Shakila, Meenaxi, Naina, Krishna Kumari, Kamal, Menaka, S.N. Tripathi, B.M. Vyas, Sheikh, Dalpat Watch Online Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke (1957) Master Romi, Satish Vyas, Daisy Irani, Jagdeep, Mohan Choti, David Abraham, Murad, Maruti Rao, B.M. Vyas, Krishnakant, Achala Sachdev Watch Online Jahan Sati Wahan Bhagwan (1965) Prithviraj, Anita Guha, Sulochana Chatterjee, Mahipal, Krishna Kumari, Mohan Choti, Madhumati, B.M. Vyas, Praveen Paul, Santosh Kumar Watch Online Jai Santoshi Maa (1975) Anita Guha, Bharat Bhushan, Ashish Kumar, Kanan Kaushal, Trilok Kapoor, Rajni Bala, B.M. Vyas, Leela Mishra, Rajan Haksar, Moolchand Watch Online Janam Janam Ke Phere: Alias Sati Anapurna (1957) Nirupa Roy, Manher Desai, B.M. Vyas, S.N. Tripathi, Satish Vyas, Kanta Kumari, Mahipal, Krishna Kumari, Champaklala Watch Online Lav-Kush (1967) Ashim Kumar, Jayshree Gadkar, Babloo, Sushil Kumar, Kanu Roy, Munna, Bela Bose, S.N. Tripathi, Chitra, Dalpat, B.M. Vyas, Hari Shukla, Chandrima Bhaduri, Bhagwan Singh, R.C. Pandey Watch Online Maha Pawan Tirth Yatra (1975) Ashish Kumar, Rajni Bala, Mahipal, Jeevan, Shashi Modak, B.M. Vyas, Anita Guha Watch Online Mangalsutra (1981) Rekha, Anant Nag, Prema Narayan, Madan Puri, Om Shivpuri, B.M. Vyas, Rajendra Nath, Keshto Mukherjee, Asit Sen, Jagdeep Watch Online Maya Machhindra (1975) Abhi Bhattacharya, Kanan Kaushal, B.M. Vyas, Jeevan Watch Online Murder In Circus (1971) Nisar Ahmad Ansari, M.B. Shetty, Sujit, Jaymala, Bela Bose, B.M. Vyas, Sapru Watch Online Nag Panchami (1953) Nirupa Roy, Manohar Desai, B.M. Vyas, Durga Khote, Tiwari Watch Online Oh Darling Yeh Hai India (1995) Shah Rukh Khan, Deepa Sahi, Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, Javed Jaffrey, Tinnu Anand, Tiku Talsania, Shri Vallabh Vyas, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Tom Alter, Kader Khan, Shri Vallabh Vyas, Raza Murad, B.M. Vyas, Anil Nagrath, Ranjana Sharma, Ranjeet, Ravi Gossain Watch Online Patita (1953) Dev Anand, Usha Kiran, Agha, Shivraj, Krishnakant, C.S. Dubey, Sonny Abraham, B.M. Vyas, Lalita Pawar Watch Online Puja Aur Payal (1980) Sujit Kumar, Sonali, Madhumati, Ram Mohan, B.M. Vyas, Sunil Dutt, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bhaduri, Madan Puri, Johnny Walker Watch Online Rani Rupmati (1957) Bharat Bhushan, Nalini Chonkar, Ulhas, B.M. Vyas, Nirupa Roy, Babu Raje, Amarnath, Rajrani Watch Online Razia Sultan (1983) Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Pradeep Kumar, Vijayendra, Ajit, Jankidas, B.M. Vyas, Mumtaz Begum, Shribhagwan, Heena Kausar, Anu Dhawan, Veena, Sohrab Modi, Sarika, Radha Saluja, Bijoya Jena, Madhu Malini, Gopi Krishna, Shahu Modak, Aarti Chopra Watch Online Sampoorna Ramayana (1961) Mahipal, Anita Guha, Sulochana Latkar, Helen, Lalita Pawar, Achala Sachdev, Krishna Kumari, Raj Kumar, Uma Dutt, B.M. Vyas, Badri Prasad, Paul Sharma Watch Online Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan (1959) Anita Guha, B.M. Vyas, Chand Usmani, Jairaj, Leela Mishra, Prem Adib, Sulochana, Ulhas Watch Online Sant Ravidas Ki Amar Kahani (1983) Ashish Kumar, B.M. Vyas, Mahipal, Rajendra Nath, Tun Tun, Mohan Choti, Shekhar Purohit Watch Online Saranga (1960) Sudesh Kumar, Jayshree Gadkar, Nilofar, B.M. Vyas, Niranjan Sharma, Jankidas, Sadiq, Parsuram, Jaya Devi Watch Online Saraswatichandra (1968) Nutan Behl, Manish, Vijaya Choudhury, Ramesh Deo, Sulochana Latkar, B.M. Vyas, Seema Deo, Jeevan Kala, S.B. Nayampalli, Sulochana Chatterjee, Shivraj Watch Online Sati Naari (1965) Anita Guha, Manohar Desai, Jeevan, Sunder, B.M. Vyas, Ulhas, Ram Singh Watch Online Sheikh Chilli (1956) Shyama, Mahipal, Agha, B.M. Vyas, Bhagwan Watch Online Shravan Kumar (1960) Anant Kumar, Achala Sachdev, B.M. Vyas, Nalini Chonkar, Sunder, Polson Watch Online Shree Ram Bharat Milan (1965) Prithviraj Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Mahipal, Anita Guha, Sulochana, B.M. Vyas, Niranjan Sharma, Vanamala, Shekhar Purohit, Aruna Irani Watch Online Solah Shukrawar (1977) Rajni Bala, Indira Bansal, Abhi Bhattacharya, Bharat Bhushan, Bela Bose, Sushil Chak, Manek Chaudhary, Ramesh Deo, Ramesh Dubey, Manher Desai, Manik Dutt, Dilip Dutt, L.M. Ganu, Anita Guha, Tarun Ghosh, Anuradha Guha, Ashish Kumar, Meenakshi, Leelavathi, Polson, Prema Narayan, B.M. Vyas Watch Online Tarzan Aur Jadui Chirag (1966) Azad Shaban, Sunita, B.M. Vyas, Dalpat, Tun Tun, Kesari, Sheikh, Shakeela Bano Bhopali, Jani Babu, Kammo Watch Online Thief of Baghdad (1969) Dara Singh, Nishi, Helen, B.M. Vyas, Mohan Sherry, Sheikh, Savita, Rani, Moolchand, Maruti, Ram Kumar, P. Kailash Watch Online Toofan (1975) Vikram, Priyadarshinee, Jeevan, Jagdeep, Roopesh Kumar, P. Jairaj, Trilok Kapoor, Sajjan, B.M. Vyas, Rajan Haksar, Urmila Bhatt, Praveen Paul, Meena T. Watch Online Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) Shammi Kapoor, Ameeta, Pran, Raj Mehra, B.M. Vyas, Sheela Vaz, Ram Avtar, Anjali Devi, M.B. Shetty, S.L. Puri Watch Online Veer Babruwahan (1950) Shashi Kapoor, S.N. Tripathi, Jankidas, B.M. Vyas Watch Online Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi (1966) Prithviraj Kapoor, Biswajeet, Sharmila Tagore, Sailesh Kumar, Mumtaz, Helen, Madhumati, B.M. Vyas, Asit Sen, Labiby Mady Watch Online Zabak (1961) Mahipal, Shyama, Krishna Kumari, Sahira, B.M. Vyas, Achala Sachdev, Manher Desai, Uma Dutt, Muzaffar Adeeb, W.M. Khan, Babu Raje Watch Online

I pay respect to Shri B. M. Vyas and pray to God to give him everlasting peace and solitude .

I must admit it was difficult to gather information about Shri Vyas . I rummaged through many websites and gathered information about him and his films . I wanted to put the information about his films and the posters of his films in my blog space so that students of my acting institute , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  should know at least a little bit about him and his histrionics .

So called best acting schools of Mumbai are silent about him . Self – proclaimed famous acting institutes of India have no time for a veteran like B. M. Vyas . Upstarts of some acting classes of Bollywood are not bothered about this chapter of our film industry . They are busy abusing me on social net – working sites and blowing their own rotten , rickety trumpets .

I pay my respect and will always remember ” Sampoorn Ramayan “ , in which he played Ravan to the hilt . I saw the film during my childhood and loved his portrayal of Ravan .

[ I have taken information and trivia about his films from a website : http://www.fridaycinemas.com/MoviesByCelebrities.aspx?Cname=B.M.%20Vyas

I express my gratitude ]

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Vidur’s Year End Musings : Films – 2012

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           FEBRUARY  25 , 2013         05.00  P.M.

2012 gave us only 10 super hits and some major flops . ” Ek Tha Tiger ” , ” Dabangg 2 ” , ” Rowdy Rathore ” , ” Agneepath ” , Jab Tak Hai Jaan ” , ” Barfi ” , ” Housefull 2 ” , ” Son Of Sardar ” , ” Bol Bachchan ” and ” Talash “ were declared hits . ” Talash “ could not make it to the 100 crore club . It earned only 93 crores . But all the other 9 movies earned more than 100 crores . ” Ek Tha Tiger “ became the most successful film of 2012 . It raked in 198 crores .

=============================================

Bollywood’s Fastest 100 Crore Grosser of All Times

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(all-India net collections) (in Rs. crores)

Position Movie No. Of Days to Reach 100 Crores Total Collections

1 Ek Tha Tiger 6  198

2 Dabangg 2 6 158.50

3 Bodyguard 8 142

4 3 Idiots 9 202

5 Ra.One 10 115

6 Dabangg 10 145

7 Agneepath 11 123

8 Rowdy Rathore 11 131

9 Jab Tak Hai Jaan 11 120.65

10 Ready 12  120

11 Don 2 13 106

12 Race 2 14 102*

13 Son Of Sardaar 16 105.03

14 Ghajini 16  114

15 Barfi! 17 120

16 Golmaal 3 17 107

17 Housefull 2 17 114

18 Singham 37 100

19 Bol Bachchan 45 102

=======================

Top grosser of 2012 :

=======================

 

(all-India net collections) (in Rs. crores)

Bollywood 2012  Box Office Positions	Movie	Lead Stars	Directors	India Nett Collection in Crores
1	Ek Tha Tiger	Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif	Kabir Khan	198
2	Dabangg 2	Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj	Arbaaz Khan	158.50
3	Rowdy Rathore	Akshay Kumar, Nasser	Prabhu Deva	131
4	Agneepath	Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor	Karan Malhotra	123
5	Jab Tak Hai Jaan	Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma	Yash Chopra	120.65
6	Barfi!	Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra	Anurag Basu	120
7	Housefull 2	Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Mithun Chakraborty	Sajid Khan	114
8	Son Of Sardaar	Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, Juhi Chawla	Ashwni Dhir	105.03
9	Bol Bachchan	Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan	Rohit Shetty	102
10	Talaash	Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji	Reema Kagti	93

=================================

Classification of Top grosser of 2012 :

=================================

SUPER HITS :

================

” Dabangg 2 ” , ” Jab Tak Hai Jaan ” , ” Student Of The Year ” , ” OMG Oh My God ! ” , ” Barfi ” , ” Raaz 3 ” , ” Ek Tha Tiger ” , ” Bol Bachchan ” , ” Rowdy Rathore ” , ” Vicky Donor ” , ” Housefull 2 ” , ” Kahani ” & ” Agneepath “

HITS :

==========

” Talaash ” , ” Son Of Sardar ” , ” 1920 Evil Returns ” , ” English Vinglish ” , ” Cocktail , ” Ishaqzaade ” , ” Jannat 2 ” &  ” Paan Singh Tomar “

AVERAGE :

=============

” Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi ” , ” Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 ” , ” Ferrari Ki Sawaari ” , ” Agent Vinod ” & ” Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu “

PLUS :

==========

” Khiladi 786 ” , ” Jism 2 ” , ” Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum ” & ” Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya “

So the final tally of hits in 2012 comes to 13 super hits , 8 hits , 5 average and 4 plus films .

==============================

Stalwarts Who Left Us in 2012

==============================

2011 was definitely a cruel year for the Hindi film industry . In total 34 stalwarts left us for their final journey .

Actors :

==============

Dev Anand , Shammi Kapoor , Rasika Joshi , Vivek Shauq , Navin Nishchol , Bob Christo , Goga Kapoor , Rami Reddy , Pratap Sharma and Sunil Rege .

Singer – Music Directors :

==========================

Jagjit Singh , Bhupen Hazarika , Srinivas Khale , Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Sultan Khan .

Producer – Directors :

=========================

Radhakant Sharma , Mani Kaul , Jagmohan Mundhra , Surinder Kapoor , Tony Walker , M. F. Husain and Shandar Amrohi .

Writers : 

=============

Sachin Bhowmick , K. K. Singh and Kumar Shailendra .

Cinematographer :

===================

Somak Mukherjee and Harish Patel .

Choreographer :

====================

Subal Sarkar ,

Art Directors :

=================

Samir Chanda and Shanti Das .

Photographers :

===================

Gautam Rajadhyaksha and Durga Prasad .

Film Historian :

===================

B. D. Garga .

Theatre Personality  :

=====================

Pandit Satya Dev Dubey .

2012 was equally harsh . In total 29 luminaries and stalwarts of film industry left us in 2012 . Except month of November , almost 2/3 people died every month . In just 2 years 33 stalwarts , who made indelible mark in the industry , left this world .

Actors :

=============

Kalpana , Joy Mukherjee , Achla Sachdev , Taruni Sachdev , Gavin Packard , Dara Singh , Rajesh Khanna , A. K. Hangal , Jaspal Bhatti

Singer – Music Directors – Arrangers :

==================================

Anthony Gonsalves , Anil Mohile , Ravi , Varsha Bhosle , Pandit Ravi Shankar

Producers – Directors :

=======================

Darshan Sabharwal , Raj Kanwar , O. P. Dutta , Mona Kapoor , B. R. Ishara , Yash Chopra

Writers – Lyricists :

====================

Shahryar

Cinematographers :

==================

Ashok Mehta , Rajen Kothari , Bobby Singh

Art Directors :

===================

Ashish Lakhia

Editor :

=========

M. S. Shinde

Film Critic :

=============

Nikhat Kazmi , B. K. Karanjia

Theatre Personality :

===================

Dinesh Thakur

 

I deeply mourn the departed souls , who left us for their heavenly abode . I congratulate all the successful actors , producers and directors , who gave hits and super hits in 2012 . Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  expresses happiness at the turn of events .

[ I have taken some of the facts & figures from http://www.koimoi.com . I express my gratitude .]

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70 Years of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           OCTOBER 14 , 2012           00.45 A.M.

Amitabh Bachchan turned 70 on October 11 , 2012 . I am following the news since 2 / 3 days and it seems to be a never-ending saga . On that day almost all the luminaries attended his birthday bash at Film City , Mumbai . It became a national , rather international news .

Amitabh Bachchan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As I have stated in my earlier blog , which I wrote when he completed 40 years in the Hindi Film Industry , I was not his fan initially. But gradually when I grew and when I started understanding cinema , I started appreciating his work more .

I must admit here that I am yet to watch ” Saat Hindustani ” [ 1969 ] , his first film . His first film , which I watched was ” Anand ” [ 1971 ] . A Dilip Kumar fan , who was getting used to Rajesh Khanna , any liking for Amitabh Bachchan was not possible . Though I must admit here that he was very good in that film . Then I watched ” Reshma Aur Shera ” [ 1971 ] . He was definitely very good in that film also . But the era belonged to Rajesh Khanna .

Then I watched ” Ek Nazar ” [ 1972 ] . Sitting in a cinema hall of Allahabad , Uttar Pradesh , I was not impressed or mesmerized by his persona on the screen . I vividly remember some adverse or inimical comments made by public . I was startled because I was watching the film in Allahabad and it being his home town , I was expecting some favourable cheering . But he was being booed . ” Bansi Birju ” [ 1972 ] was another debacle . ” Raste Ka Patthar ” [ 1972 ] , ” Bombay To Goa ” [ 1972 ] and ” Bandhe Haath ” [ 1973 ] couldn’t make matter easier for Mr. Bachchan .

Though things started getting changed in 1973 . ” Zanjeer ” [ 1973 ] got released and things changed for Mr. Bachchan . ” Namak Haraam ” [ 1973 ] fortified his position . From 1973 onwards Rajesh Khanna’s historical debacle started and stupendous ascendency of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan began . ” Deewar ” [1975 ] and ” Sholay ” [ 1975 ] came in quick succession and juggernaut of Amitabh Bachchan became unstoppable . So from ” Zanjeer ” [1973 ] to ” Paa ” [ 2009 ] and ” Department ” [ 2012 ] , it was and it is Amitabh Bachchan tsunami .

After ” Khuda Gawah ” [ 1992 ] he took sabbatical . It was self – imposed semi retirement . He did few film after 5 years but old spark was missing . He again got his lost empire back with ” Mohabbatein ” [ 2000 ] and from 2000 to 2012 he is again numero uno .

2000 is very important year for him because apart from ” Mohabbatein “ , he decided to host ” Kaun Banega Crorepati “ on television . And after that he never looked back till today.

I have tried to chronicle his journey as an actor because he almost forced me to like and appreciate him . I am a self-confessed Dilip Kumar fan . Later on I started liking Ashok Kumar , Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor . My liking and appreciation for Amitabh Bachchan was slow . But now it is complete . Ashok Kumar , Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor are gone . Dilip Kumar doesn’t work anymore . ” Qila ” [ 1998 ] was his last appearance on screen . So naturally Amitabh Bachchan is the only icon , only actor of relevance available .

As Acting Trainer of Mumbai , I need to give example to my students and films of Amitabh Bachchan are my reference point . Almost all the Acting Trainers of India give reference from his films . All the Acting Schools of Mumbai or Bollywood Acting Schools have his photos prominently placed in their premises .

I am lucky that I have chance to bump into him several times . I first saw him at the music release function of  K. C. Bokadia’s film ” Pyar Zindagi Hai ” [ 2001 ] . It starred my students Vikas Kalantri and Ashima Bhalla . This film is also noted because it was K. C. Bokadia’s 50th film . Mr. Bachchan came for the music release function at The Club and I got chance to see him .

I admire him as a man , as an actor and as a public figure . I have got inspired by him and started dabbling in internet . He also inspired me to write blog . So in a way , this blog is my tribute to him .

Wish you a very long life Mr. Bachchan !

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Achala Sachdev : The ” Zohara Jabeen ” of ” Waqt ” Fades Away

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           May 07 , 2012           00.55         A.M.

I was busy writing my pending travel diaries of Madhya Pradesh visit , when the news came of the death of Achala Sachdev . She died in Pune on April 30 , 2012 at the age of 91 .

She was not the leading actor but was a very popular character artiste and did many significant and important films in her illustrious career spanning 64 years [ " Fashionable Wife " 1938 to " Na Tum Jaano Na Hum " 2002 ] . In total she did 130 films . I came to know her through Yash Chopra directed film ” Waqt ‘ [ 1965 ] .

I still remember the first encounter with her on-screen . The year was 1967 . The cinema hall was Amarjyoti Talkies , Deoria . A film called ” Waqt “ was being screened there . Every one in the town was going gaga over it . So I decided to watch it . One fine evening I went  , bought ticket and entered the auditorium . Film started and the first scene was greeted with claps , loud uproar and whistles . Soon Balraj Sahni appeared on-screen and started crooning  in the voice of Manna Dey ‘ Aye meri zohra jabeen ; tujhe maloom nahin ; Tu abhi tak hai haseen aur main jawan , tujh pe qurban meri jaan , meri jaan ………………. ” . Throughout the song sequence , close – up of a lady , who was smiling coyly , continuously appeared on-screen in intercut . My film pundit friends informed me that name of the lady is Achala Sachdev .

Waqt (1965 film)

Opening Scene of ” Waqt “

” Waqt ” – Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen Song Sequence

Last week , when I read about her sad demise , a floodgate of memories got opened and I was transported to my home town Deoria in Uttar Pradesh . Evening of that day in 1967 appeared on my mental firmament . Even after 45 years , the first encounter of Achala Sachdev is not obfuscated even a bit . It is so uncanny that music director Ravi , who created ” Aye meri zihra jabeen …….. for her , also died last month .

After ” Waqt “ , I started following her career and watched some of the important films . Out of all the 130 films , her most memorable films are :” Foot Path ” [ 1953 ] , ” Pardesi ” [ 1957 ] , ” Miss Mary ” [ 1957 ] , ” Adalat ” [ 1958 ] , ” Char Dil Char Rahen ” [ 1959 ] , ” Kalpana ” [ 1960 ] , ” Manzil ” [ 1960 ] , ” Nazrana ” [ 1961 ] , ” Meri Surat Teri Aankhen ” [ 1963 ] , ” Dil Ek Mandir ” [ 1963 ] , ” Shagun ” [ 1964 ] , ” Sangam ” [ 1964 ] , ” Raj Kumar ” [ 1964 ] , ” Haqueeqat ” [ 1964 ] , ” Chitralekha ” [ 1964 ] , ” Arzoo ” [ 1965 ] , ” Waqt ” [ 1965 ] , ” Mere Sanam ” [ 1965 ] , ” Janwar ” [ 1965 ] , ” Himalaya Ki God Mein ” [ 1965 ] , ” Bahu Beti ” [ 1965 ] , ” Akashdeep ” [ 1965 ] , ” Shagird ” [ 1967 ] , ” Hamraaz ” [ 1967 ] , ” Sapno Ka Saudagar ” [ 1968 ] , ” Mere Hamdam Mere Dost ” [ 1968 ] , ” Kanyadaan ” [ 1968 ] , ” Aadmi Aur Insaan ” [ 1969 ] , ” Bandhan ” [ 1969 ] , ” Prem Pujari ” [ 1970 ] , ” Mera Naam Jokar ” [ 1970 ] , “  Heer Ranjha ” [ 1970 ] , ” Hare Rama Hare Krishna ” [ 1971 ] , ” Andaz ” [ 1971 ] , ” Paraya Dhan ” [ 1971 ] , ” Kal Aaj Aur Kal ” [ 1971 ] , ” Daag ” [ 1973 ] , ” Kora Kagaz ” [ 1974 ] , ” Geeta Mera Naam ” [ 1974 ] , ” Julie ” [ 1975 ] , ” Laila Majnu ” [ 1976 ] , ” Chandni ” [ 1989 ] , ” Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge ” [ 1995 ] , ” Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham ” [ 2001 ]  and ” Na Tum Jaano Na Hum ” [ 2002 ] .

Poster of Nazrana

Poster of Dil Ek Mandir

Poster of Sangam

Poster of Rajkumar

Poster of Chitralekha

Poster of Arzoo

Poster of Himalaya Ki God Mein

Poster of Mere Hamdam Mere Dost

Poster of Aadmi Aur Insaan

Poster of Kora kagaz

Poster of Geeta Mera Naam

Poster of Na Tum Jaano Na Hum

Out of her 64 – year – long career ; 3 particular years ; 1964 [ 5 films ] ; 1965 [ 7 films ] and 1971 [ 6 films ] could be considered her most successful years in films . After ” Chandni ” [ 1989 ] she disappeared from the films for 6 years . She again returned with Yash Chopra’s ” Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge ” [ 1995 ] . And after 6 years gap , she again gave a super hit ” Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham ” [ 2001 ] .

Born in Peshawar in 1920 , she started her career as child artiste . She did her first film ” Fashionable Wife ” [ 1938 ] at the age of 18 years . She rose to prominence at the age of 45 years with ” Waqt ” [ 1965 ] , a film produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by Yash Chopra . She worked with Ashok Kumar , Dilip Kumar , Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand . Then she worked with Shammi Kapoor , Rajendra Kumar , Sunil Dutt and Dharmendra . Generations changed but she continues to play stellar roles . She , during her later years , worked with Amitabh Bachchan , Rishi Kapoor , Shah Rukh Khan and Hritik Roshan also . She was there in ” Sapno Ka Saudagar ” [ debut of Hema Malini ] , ” Prem Pujari ” [ debut of Dev Anand as director ] , ” Mera Naam Joker ” [ debut of Rishi Kapoor ] , ” Paraya Dhan ” [ debut of Rakesh Roshan as actor ] , ” Kal Aaj Aur Kal ” [ debut of Randhir Kapoor as actor and directed ] , ” Daag ” [ debut of Yash Raj Films ] , ” Geeta Mera Naam ” [ debut of Sadhna as director ] and above all ” Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge ” [ debut of Aditya Chopra as director ] .

She worked , before partition , for All India Radio , Lahore and after partition for All India Radio , New Delhi .

During her later years she married Clifford Douglas Peters and settled in Pune . From there she occasionally came to Mumbai for Yash Chopra’s films .

3 Phases of Achala Sachdev

In 2011 she fell in her kitchen and since then was admitted in a Pune hospital . Her end came on April 30 , 2012 .

Beginning & End of Achala Sachdev

I was saddened to see her these two photos . A young Achala Sachdev of ” Waqt “ and a bed – ridden Achala Sachdev befor her death . Her only son from her first marriage is settled in U. S. A. and had no time for her . I am no one to comment on his relationship with his mother but it is heart – wrenching to know that Achala Sachdev died a lonely death . From September 2011 to April 2012 , she was bed – ridden with fractured leg , total paralysis and loss of vision and her only son was leading a comfortable life in U. S. A. with his nuclear family . I have no authority to say anything to him but I know that I would not have abandoned my mother like this .

Achala Sachdev on Death Bed

I can only offer my prayers for Achala Sachdev ji . May God give her peace and tranquility .

Farewell ” ZOHRA JABEEN ” !!  You are gone but ” star – like glitter of your forehead ” shall always remain with us .

As long as we have prints of  ” Waqt “ , you will live in our heart .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Related articles

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Joy Mukherjee : Some Sepia – Toned Memories

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 16 , 2012           01.15 A.M.

Joy Mukherjee , a popular actor of yesteryear , mainly 60s , died on March 09 , 2012 in a Mumbai hospital at the age of 73 .

Let me admit in the beginning that I was never a fan of Joy Mukherjee . But I do admit that Joy Mukherjee was one of the successful stars of  Hindi film industry during my school , college and university days . And his death brings to my memory many discussions , many heated arguments with friends , about his position in the film industry , which was dominated by a triumvirate ; Dilip Kumar , Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor .

I have many dog – eared magazines in my Deoria house , which carries articles and photos of Joy Mukherjee . I suddenly remembered some of his silver jubilee hits like ; ” Love In Shimla ” [ 1960 ] ,  ” Hum Hindustani ” [ 1960 ] , ” Ek Musafir Ek Hasina ” [ 1962 ] , ” Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon ” [ 1963 ] , ” Ziddi ” [ 1964 ] , ” Door Ki Awaaz ” [ 1964 ] , ” Bahu Beti ” [ 1965 ] , ” Saaz Aur Awaaz ” [ 1966 ] , ” Love In Tokyo ” [ 1966 ] , ” Shagird ” [ 1967 ] ” Humsaya ” [ 1968 ] , ” Ek Kali Muskai ” [ 1968 ] and ” Ek Bar Muskura Do ” [ 1972 ] .

” Haiwan ” [ 1977 ] was his last film .

Love In Simla

Ek Musafir Ek Hasina

Some of his films have wonderful songs , which are still popular . Who can forget songs like ;

Aap yun hi agar hamse milte rahe , dekhiye ek din pyaar ho jayega …….. ,

Bahut shukriya hai badi meharbani , meri zindagi men huzur aap aaye ……….

Dil vil pyaar vyaar , main kya janoo re ……………..

O bade miyan deewane , aise na bano …………………..

Wo hain zara khafa khafa ……………………..

Raat ka sama , jhoome chandrama , dil mora nache re jaise bijuria ………..

Ye meri zindagi , ek pagal hawa , aaj idhar , kal udhar …………………

Lakhon hain nigah men , zindagi ki raah men , sanam haseen jawan …………

Banda parwar tham lo jigar , banke pyar phir aaya hoon ………………….

Aanchal men saja dena kaliyan , zulfon men sitare bhar dena ………………

Humdam mere khel na jaano , chahat ke iqarar ko ……………………

Le gayi dil , gudia japan ki , pagal mujhe kar gayee ………………….

Sayonara , sayonara , kal phir aoongi sayonara ………………..

Na tum bewafa ho , na ham bewafa hain ……………………….

Wo haseen dard de do , jise main gale laga loon …………………….

Dil ki awaaz bhi sun , mere fasane pe na jaa …………………….

When his innings as lead actor ended , he produced and directed ” Hum Saya ” [ 1968 ] with himself in the lead . Unfortunately film bombed at the box office . He , later on directed ” Chhaila Babu ” [ 1977 ] and ” Fifty Fifty “ with Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman .

He , in 2009 , also worked in a TV serial ” Ae Dil – E – Nadaan “ .

He was son of Ashok Kumar‘s sister , who was married to producer and studio owner Sashadhar Mukherjee . So Ashok Kumar , Kishore Kumar and Anup Kumar were his maternal uncles .

Ashok Kumar

Joy Mukherjee's Nani & Three Mamas ; Ashok Kumar , Kishore Kumar , Anoop Kumar

Famous film makers Subodh Mukherjee and Ram Mukherjee are his paternal uncles .

Subodh Mukherjee

Rani Mukherjee With Her Father

Famous Hindi film actors ; Rani Mukhejee , Kajol and Sharbani Mukherjee are his nieces .

Kajol

Rani Mukherjee

Sharbani Mukherjee

Deb Mukherjee is his younger brother , whose son , Ayan Mukherjee directed ” Wake Up Sid “ and now directing ” Yeh Jwaani Hai Deewani “ . Ayan’s sister and Deb Mukherjee’s daughter is married to Ashutosh Gowarikar .

Deb Mukherjee

He belonged to an illustrious family . He had very successful innings as a lead actor . During his hey – days , he was known as Shammi Kapoor of poor producers .

I had privilege to visit his residence at Yari Road during Durga Pooja . I had trained his son , Boy Mukherjee , also , who made his debut with Mala Sinha’s daughter Pratibha . It was an honour to meet him .

Joy Mukherjee in his Later Years

It is sad that one more symbol of my younger days is gone . A chapter of my life is finally closed .

[ I started writing this blog immediately after Joy Mukherjee's death . But I went to Manali on March 18 for Ayan Mukherjee's film " Yeh Jwaani Hai Deewani " and since there was no network in Manali , I could not complete this blog . I could complete it today and posting it . ]

VIDUR

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Ravi : Unsung Music Maestro

Music Director Ravi

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MARCH 14 , 2012           02.30 A.M.

I do know and would like to affirm that common people and connoisseurs , both remember all the following songs of Hindi films :

Darshan Do Ghanshyam Nath Mori Ankhiyan Pyasi Re ……………….

Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho Ya Aaftab Ho …………………………

Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin ……………………………………..

Baazi Kisi Ne Pyar Ki Jeeti Ya Har Di …………………………..

Bar Bar Dekho Hazar Bar Dekho Ki Dekhne Ki Cheez Hai Hamara Dilruba …..

Itni Haseen Itni Jawan Rat Kya Karen ………………………………..

Chalo Ik Bar Phir Se Ajnabi Ban Jayen Hum Dono ……………………..

Tora Man Darpan Kahlaye …………………………………

Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hoton Ko Kuchh Aur Nahin Hai Jam Hai Ye …………….

Tumhin Meri Manzil Tumhin Meri Pooja Tumhin Devta Ho ………………

Badi Der Bhai Nandlala Teri Rah Take Brijbala ………………………..

O Meri Zohra Jabin Tujhe Maloom Nahin ………………………….

Bhari Duniya Men Akhir Dil Ko Samjhane Kahan Jayen ………………..

Raha Gardishon Me Hardam Mere Ishq Ka Sitara ……………………….

Gharibon Ki Suno Wo Tumhari Sunega Tum Ek Paisa Doge Wo Dus Lakh Dega .

Neele Gagan Ke Tale Dharti Ka Pyar Pale …………………………….

Tujhko Rakhe Ram Tujhko Alla Rakhe ………………………………….

Milti Hai Zindagi Men Muhabbat Kabhi Kabhi ……………………….

Bachche Man Ke Sachche …………………………….

Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja Ja Tujhko Sukhi Sansar Mile …………………….

Tujhe Sooraj Kahoon Ya Chanda Tujhe Deep Kahoon Ya Tara ……………….

Sansar Ki Har Shai Ka Itna HI Fasana Hai ……………………………

Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shadi Hai ………………………………

Dil Ke Arman Aansuon Men Bah Gaye ………………………….

Dil Ki Ye Arzoo Thi Koi Dilruba Mile ………………………

These are some of the songs , which are still famous . These are some of the songs , which need no introduction . These are some of the songs , which any one can easily hum because their tunes are still echoing  in everyone’s mind . May be names of the films are not remembered . May be names of the star – cast is forgotten . May be name of the music director is also not known to the younger generation . But songs endure . Melody survives and is still fresh  .

Creator of these immortal songs is a music maestro known as Ravi . Originally named as Ravi Shankar Sharma , Ravi was born in Delhi and wanted to become a play back singer . He was , ironically , not trained in Indian classical music . He moved to Mumbai in 1950 and started his journey in Hindi films .

Poster of Anand Math

He became Hemant Kumar’s assistant for ” Anand Math “ and sang in the chorus also in the Vande Mataram song . He , then , was signed by Devendra Goel , a top – notch director of his time , for a film called ” Vachan ” [ 1955 ] and after the success of that film , Ravi never looked back .

Then followed many hit films and numerous super – hit songs , which are still popular . ” Vachan ” [ 1955 ] , ” Dilli Ka Thug ” [ 1958 ] , ” Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan ” [ 1959 ] , ” Chaudhvin Ka Chand ” [ 1960 ] , ” Ghunghat ” [ 1960 ] , ” Gharana ” [ 1961 ] , ” Nazrana ” [ 1961 ] , ” China Town ” [ 1962 ] , ” Gehra Daag ” [ 1963 ] , ” Gumrah ” [ 1963 ] , ” Ustadon Ke Ustaad ” [ 1963 ] , ” Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke ” [ 1963 ] , ” Bharosa ” [ 1963 ] , ” Door Ki Awaaz ” [ 1964 ] , ” Kaajal ” [ 1965 ] , ” Khandaan ” [ 1965 ] , ” Waqt ” [ 1965 ] , ” Do Badan ” [ 1966 ] , ” Dus Lakh “  [ 1966 ] , ” Phool Aur Patthar ” [ 1966 ] , ” Humraaz ” [  1967 ] , ” Meharban ” [ 1967 ] , ” Aankhen ” [ 1968 ] , ” Do Kaliyaan ” [ 1968 ] , ” Neel Kamal ” [ 1968 ] , ” Aadami Aur Insaan ” [ 1969 ] , ” Ek Phool Do Maali ” [ 1969 ] , ” Dhund ” [ 1973 ] , ” Aadmi Sadak Ka ” [ 1977 ] and ” Nikah ” [ 1982 ] .

Poster of Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan

Poster of Phool Aur Patthar

Poster of Aadmi Sadak Ka

incidentally ” Nikah ” [ 1982 ] was his last Hindi hit . In 80s he started giving music in Malayalam films as Bombay Ravi . He gave several hit songs in Malayalam also .

His two songs ; Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja from ” Neel Kamal ” [ 1968 ] and Aaj Mere Yaar KI Shadi Hai from ” Aadmi Sadak Ka ” [ 1977 ] are still popular . In all the marriages in the North India these two songs are must . No marriage procession in North India even today ever starts without Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shadi Hai . And no girl  ever leaves her parental home even today without Babul Ki Duayen leti Ja Ja Tujhko Sukhi Sansar Mile  being played in the background . This is genius of Ravi Sahab .

This genius music director left this world on March 07 , 2012 in Mumbai at the age of 86 .

It is sad that he never got his due from the industry . Though he repeatedly worked for B. R. Chopra , Ramanand Sagar , Gemini Productions , AVM Productions , Guru Dutt Films , but was never considered A Grade music director . He gave music for Raj Kapoor starrer , Meena Kumari Starrer , Rajendra Kumar Starrer , Shammi Kapoor Starrer but still was not included in the A list . He gave music for the first production of Sunil Dutt and first super – hit of Dharmendra but was always neglected .

His last days were painful as he was allegedly tormented by his estranged son and daughter – in – law Varsha Usgaonkar .

I am saddened by his sad demise . At this moment I am remembering his song from ” Dhund ” ] 1973 ]  ; Sansar Ki Har Shai Ka Itna Hi Fasana Hai ; Ik Dhund Se Aana Hai Ik Dhund Men Jana Hai ………..

VIDUR

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Vidur’s Film Diary – January 2012

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           fEBRUARY 01 , 2012           11.45 P.M.

It is the first Film Diary of 2012 . A new year , a new beginning and a new hope for better future , industry is waiting with anticipation .

It is the 33rd Film Diary of mine .

First release of 2012 , ” Players “ was a major disappointment . But the second important film ” Agneepath “ changed the mood . It is the first mega – hit of 2012 .

Go through the tweets of eminent trade analysts Mr. Taran Adarsh and Mr. Komal Nahta to gauge the impact of ” Agneepath ” :

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Don2 Worldwide total *after 2nd wknd* – India Rs 97.6 cr [incl Mon figures] + Overseas Rs 58.55 cr. Total: Rs 156.15 cr.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Players *India* Monday 2.17 cr. 4-day total: approx 17.25 cr nett.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Players: Cost to Viacom18 – 65 cr to 70 cr. Recovers chunk of investment by selling India theatrical for Rs 35 cr [with prints] … contd.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Players: Money recovered by Viacom18 – India theatrical [35 cr] + Satellite [17 cr] + Music [3 cr] + Digital/Home Video [2.5 cr] = 57.5 cr

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Players: Viacom18 has to recover balance amount [8 cr to 12 cr] from Overseas to just break-even. Difficult, since Overseas is dull

taran_adarsh taran adarsh

At the rate it has *opened*, the only ‘competitor’ for #Agneepath is #Bodyguard. Neck to neck at most places, better at some.

taran_adarsh taran adarsh

#Agneepath opening: Vijay Dinanath Chauhan rules. Not just Mandwa. But entire India.

taran_adarsh taran adarsh

#Agneepath opening: Not just @iHrithik ’s biggest opener, but also amongst the biggest opener of all times. Should have a record Day 1.

taran_adarsh taran adarsh

#Agneepath *early trends* Thursday figure is 24.5 cr +. Creates HISTORY.

taran_adarsh taran adarsh

#Agneepath Thursday figure *revised* Rs 23 cr nett.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Agneepath – India *actuals*:- Thu 23 cr,Fri 12.75 cr, Sat 15.85 cr. Total: Rs 51.6 cr nett.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

#Agneepath *Overseas* Thu to Sat total stands at approx Rs 12 cr. Excellent.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

Overseas: #Agneepath amongst biggest openers http://bit.ly/zi1mRm

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

Internationally, #Agneepath *opening weekend* figures have crossed #ZNMD by a big margin.

KomalNahtaKomal Nahta

Last week’s releases, CHAALIS CHAURAASI, GHOST and SADDA ADDA, all have bombed at the box-office. No respite for PLAYERS either.

KomalNahta Komal Nahta

AGNEEPATH day one final tally: Rs 23 crore. Full report:koimoi.com/box-office/agn…

KomalNahtaKomal Nahta

AGNEEPATH 5-day total: Rs. 75 cr. Box-office report: http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/agneepath-5-day-total-rs-75-crore/

============

Obituary :

============

Darshan Sabharwal :

——————–—————-

Father of Suneel Darshan and Dharmesh Darshan , Darshan Sabharwal died on December 31 , 2011 . He was 78 years old . He was a distributor and maker of films like ; ” Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegi ” , ” Samson ” , Kahin Din Kahin Raat ” , ” Ustaad “ and ” Naya Sansar “ .

Kalpana :

————————–

Yesteryear actor Kalpana died in Pune on January 04 , 2012 . She was suffering from cancer and was 65-year-old at the time of her death .

Shammi Kapoor’s ” Professor “ and Dev Anand’s ” Teen Devian “ were her most memorable films .

Posting link of my blog  , which I wrote as obituary , about her :

VidurChaturvedi Kamal N. Chaturvedi

Death of Kalpana ; A ” Gul Badan ” Ceases to Exist wp.me/ptyXI-1AJ

Anthony Gonsalves :

—————————————

A renowned music arranger  and  legendary violinist , an inspiration behind Amitabh Bachchan’s name in ” Amar Akbar Anthony “ , Anthony Prabhu Gonsalves died on January 18, 2012 in Goa . He was 84 at the time of his death . He is considered the first music arranger of India apart from being a conductor and composer .

His career began with legendary Bombay Talkies in 1943 and later on he worked with many music directors like ; Naushad , Anil Biswas , Ghulam Haider , Sachin Dev Burman , Laxmikant Pyarelal and Rahul Dev Burman . In total he arranged music for almost 400 films . He even taught music to Pyarelal of Lakshmikant Pyarelal fame and later on taught music to Rahul Dev Burman and also worked with him as an arranger .

“  Mahal ” , ” Naya Daur ” , Dillagi ” and ” Pyasa “ are some of his well – known films as arranger .

SrBachchanAmitabh Bachchan

T 628 -Anthony Gonsalves .. passes away .. talented musician with LP and on his name my character name for AAAnthony was put ..prayers !!

Nikhat Kazmi :

————————-

Renowned film critic of Times of India , Nikhat Kazmi died on January 20 , 2012 in Delhi . She was only 53 at the time of her death and was suffering from breast cancer .

Born in 1958 in Allahabad , Uttar Pradesh , she was associated with Times of India for almost 2 decades .  She was one of the few film critics who started star – rating  trends . Despite her ill-health , she continued watching films and writing reviews till the end . Her last reviewed films were last week released ” Ghost ” and ” Sadda Adda “ .

Posting link of my blog , which I wrote as obituary , about her :

VidurChaturvedi Kamal N. Chaturvedi

Adieu Nikhat Kazmi : A Film Critic Par Excellence wp.me/ptyXI-1Di

============================

New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

============================

First Week  – January 06

—————————————–

1 – Players ………………………………………….. Neil Nitin Mukesh

…………………………………………………………. Sonam Kapoor

…………………………………………………………. Sikandar Kher

Second Week – January 13

——————————————

1 – Chaalis Chauraasi …………………………….. Arbaaz Khan

2 – Ghost …………………………………………….. Sayali Bhagat

3 – Sadda Adda …………………………………….. x

4 – Tutiya Dil ……………………………………….. Sidhant Kapur

Third Week – January 20

——————————————

1 – Phir Ek Sazish ………………………………….. x

2 – Sweet Love ……………………………………… x

Fourth Week – January 27

——————————————

1 – Agneepath ……………………………………… Hritik Roshan

…………………………………………………………. Priyanka Chopra

…………………………………………………………. Katrina Kaif

In total ……………….. 08   ………………… films got released this month . Out of these ………………….. 08 ………………….. films , there were ………………….. 09 …………………… students of mine , who played important part in them .

============================

New Regional Films & Me :

============================

Tamil : 1 – Sameera Reddy is doing lead role in ” Vettai ” .

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Vidur’s Year End Musings : Films – 2011

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JANUARY 15 , 2012           02.15  A.M.

Clap of Films

2011 ended on a mixed note .  A very disturbing trend emerged in 2011 . Revenue from theatres went down . Revenue from other sources like ; audio , video and satellite rights are accruing to the overall earning of a film and making it profitable . Subsidies from foreign countries are also very substantial .

As usual 2012 looks promising . Film historian and critic Bhawana Somaaya tweets :

BhawanaSomaayaBhawana Somaaya

2011 proved a lucrative year for cinema. 2012 has some more to look forward to. Abbas Mastan known for craft n suspense start with Players

=======================

Top grosser of 2011 :

=======================

Bodyguard ………………………………… 3.15

Ready ……………………………………….  2.80

Singham …………………………………….  2.40

Ra.One ………………………………………  2.30

The Dirty Picture …………………………  1.65

Yamla Pagla Deewana …………………..  1.35

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan ………………..  1.25

Rockstar …………………………………….  1.20

Murder 2 ……………………………………  1.15

Delhi Belly ………………………………….  1.15

Double Dhamaal ………………………….  1.10

Desi Boyz …………………………………..  1.00

Haunted ……………………………………  0.80

=================================

Classification of Top grosser of 2011 :

=================================

AA – SUPER HIT : ” Bodyguard “

————————————————–

A 1 – HIT : ” Ready ” , ” Singham ” , ” Murder 2 ” , ” The Dirty Picture “

————————————————————————————————

A – SEMI HIT : ” Yamla Pagla Deewana ” , ” Ragini MMS “

——————————————————————————-

B B – OVERFLOW : ” Tanu Weds Manu ” , ” Mere Brother Ki Dulhan ” , ” Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl “

———————————————————————————————–

B 1 / B B – COMMISSION EARNER TO OVERFLOW : ” Delhi Belli ” , ” Don 2 ” , ” Ra.One ” , ” Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge ” , ” Double Dhamaal “

————————————————————————————————-

B 1 – COMMISSION EARNER : ” Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara ” , ” Dhobi Ghat ” , ” Haunted ” , ” No One Killed Jessica ” , ” Pyaar Ka Panchnama “

———————————————————————————————

B / B 1 – COVERAGE TO COMMISSION EARNER : ” Desi Boyz ” , ” Chalo Dilli ” , ” Bheja Fry 2 ” , ” Yeh Saali Zindagi ” , ” Saheb Biwi Aur gangster ” , ” Stanley Ka Dibba ” , ” Damadamm “

———————————————————————————————-

B – AVERAGE : ” F.A.L.T.U. ” , ” Force ” , ” Dil To Baccha Hai Ji “

———————————————————————————————–

So in 2011 total 229 films were released . And out of 229 film , only 38 films were money earners . Rest 191 were flops . Success ratio of the films released in 2011 is 17 % .  It means 83 % films were flop . This year’s 229 films are less in numbers than 250 films of 2010 . It is 21 less than last year .

According to trade analyst Mr. Taran Adarsh following is the ranking of stars in 2011 :

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

India ranking – based on *Boxoffice*:  1 – Aamir Khan , 2 – @BeingSalmanKhan  , 3  - @iamsrk  ,  4  – Ranbir  , 5  - @ajaydevgn  , 6  – @iHrithik  , 7  - @akshaykumar … contd.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

India ranking – based on *Boxoffice*:  8  – Emraan Hashmi  , 9  -  Saif  , 10  – Imran Khan  , 11 – @shahidkapoor  , 12  – John Abraham  , 13  – @juniorbachchan

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

Overseas ranking – based on *Boxoffice*:  1 – @iamsrk  , 2  – Aamir Khan  , 3  - @iHrithik  , 4  - @BeingSalmanKhan  , 5  – Saif  , 6  – Ranbir  , 7  -  @akshaykumar … contd.

taran_adarshtaran adarsh

Overseas ranking – based on *Boxoffice*:  8  – Imran Khan  , 9  – @ajaydevgn  , 10  – John Abraham  , 11  - @shahidkapoor  , 12  – @juniorbachchan  , 13  – Emraan Hashmi

==============================

Stalwarts Who Left Us in 2011

==============================

So many luminaries and stalwarts of film industry left us in 2011 .

Actors :

==============

Dev Anand , Shammi Kapoor , Rasika Joshi , Vivek Shauq , Navin Nishchol , Bob Christo , Goga Kapoor , Rami Reddy , Pratap Sharma and Sunil Rege .

Singer – Music Directors :

==========================

Jagjit Singh , Bhupen Hazarika , Srinivas Khale , Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Sultan Khan .

Producer – Directors :

=========================

Radhakant Sharma , Mani Kaul , Jagmohan Mundhra , Surinder Kapoor , Tony Walker , M. F. Husain and Shandar Amrohi .

Writers : 

=============

Sachin Bhowmick , K. K. Singh and Kumar Shailendra .

Cinematographer :

===================

Somak Mukherjee and Harish Patel .

Choreographer :

====================

Subal Sarkar ,

Art Directors :

=================

Samir Chanda and Shanti Das .

Photographers :

===================

Gautam Rajadhyaksha and Durga Prasad .

Film Historian :

===================

B. D. Garga .

Theatre Personality  :

=====================

Pandit Satya Dev Dubey .

==================================

Highlights / Achievements of 2011

==================================

1 – In 2011 Yash Raj Productions ‘ ” Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ” completed 850 weeks in Maratha Mandir of Mumbai .

2 – In 2011 Aditya Chopra launched a New Banner Y Films . It will cater to youth films .

3 – In 2011 Aditya Chopra launched another banner , Yash Raj Entertainment . It will cater to Hollywood films .

4 – In 2011 Hritik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor were immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Wax Studio , London .

[ Some of the statistics of this blog are taken from " Film Information "  , a trade magazine . I express my gratitude . ]

[ I have quoted tweets of Ms. Bhawana Somaaya and Mr. Taran Adarsh to illustrate my point of view . I am indebted . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Death of Kalpana ; A ” Gul Badan ” Ceases to Exist

Kalpana

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JANUARY 12 , 2012           07.10 P. M.

On January 04 , 2012 Kalpana , yesteryear actor a.k.a. Kalpana Mohan , died in a Pune hospital at the age of 65 . She was battling cancer for 5 years . I do know , the name Kalpana does not ring a familiar bell . Today’s generation is oblivious of her name and ignorant of her work . It is sad state of affair that news of her death appeared in national news papers 6 days later . Even a film news paper like Screen failed to report her death in the latest issue .,

But cine – goers of my generation will always remember her fondly . She did two super hit films like ; ” Professor ” and ” Teen Devian “  in 1962 and 1965 respectively .

Born in Srinagar in a family of freedom fighters , Kalpana was a trained Kathak dancer . At the insistence of Balraj Sahani and Ismat Chughtai she moved to Bombay [ now Mumbai ] and made debut in ” Professor “  [ 1962 ] , a Shammi Kapoor starrer .

A Poster of Professor

Another Poster of Professor

Later on she worked in another super hit film ” Teen Devian ” [ 1965 ] , a Dev Anand starrer .

A Poster of Teen Devian

Another Poster of Teen Devian

One More Poster of Teen Devian

I remember Shammi Kapoor serenading her with super hit songs  ; Ai Gul Badan ….. Ai Gul Badan and Khuli Palak Me Jhootha Ghussa , Band Palak Men Pyar ……… Jeena Bhi Mushkil ….. Who can forget these immortals songs ; Aawaz De Ke Hamen Tum Bulao ……… or Koi Aayega …. Aayega ….. Aayega …… and Main Chali Main Chali ……. Peechhe Peechhe Jahan …… ?

Shankar Jaikishan‘s super hit music and interesting story plot made this film ” Professor ” a rage in the 60s . Kalpana arrived with a bang .

She then did ” Teen Devian ” in 1965 with Dev Anand . Sachin Dev Burman‘s melodious music added ethereal quality to Kalpana’s beauty . Can any Hindi movie buff forget Dev Anand entreating Kalpana with Kishore Kumar , Asha Bhosle duet , Are Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Ghazab , Ghoonghat To Zara Odho …… ?

Are Yaar Meri .... Song

I still remember another gem from the same movie , Khwab Ho Yaa Tum Koi Haqueeqat ….. Kaun Ho Tum Batlao ….. Mr. Dev Anand singing this song on piano and Kalpana and Simi sharing screen space with him .

Khwab Ho Ya Tum .....Song

In ” Professor ” , she was in solo lead . In ” Teen Devian “ , she shared screen with much senior Nanda and another beauty Simi Gerewal . Still she got top billing .

Kalpana

She just did only couple of films . ” Professor ” [ 1962 ] , ” Naughty Boy ” [ 1962 ] , ” Teen Devian ” [ 1965 ] , ” Saheli ” [ 1965 ] , ” Pyar Kiye Ja ” [ 1966 ] , ” Biwi Aur Makan ” [ 1966 ] , ” Tasveer ” [ 1966 ] and ” Nawab Sirajuddaula ” [ 1967 ] .

She quit films after her marriage with story – screenplay writer Sachin Bhowmick . They both were as different as the chalk is from cheese . So marriage failed . She got married again in 1967 , got divorced again in 1972 and then moved to Pune , where she lived till her death .

I was saddened when I saw a recent photo of Kalpana , which was published in Times of India . Age had dimmed her beauty . An aging and lonely Kalpana Mohan caught my fancy once again . I was not a huge fan of hers but I did like her in films like ; ” Professor ” , ” Teen Devian ” , ” Pyar Kiye Ja “ and  ” Biwi Aur Makaan ” .  In the conservative India of 1965 , ” Teen Devian “ got A Certificate from censors , so the film got famous and the craze was enormous . And I , like other youngsters of my age , was charmed by Kalpana and this film .

I did not like her recent photo and I was pained but I am posting it for the record and for the posterity . This photograph of Kalpana is a sad reminder of the ephemeral world we are living in ; real and reel , both .

Kalpana : Then & Now

Farewell Kalpana ji !

In the last quarter of 2011 , your two illustrious co – stars ; Shammi Kapoor and Dev Anand left us . Now you too have gone !

Mortal people ; immortal memories !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Aah Shammi Kapoor ……….” Tum Sa Nahi Dekha ” !!

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA          NOVEMBER 16 , 2011          08.15 P.M.

When I got the news of Shammi Kapoor‘s sad demise on August 14 , 2011 at the age of 79 , flood of memories engulfed me and inundated me completely . Though , initially , I was not a huge fan of Shammi Kapoor , but later on , as I watched his films and understood his importance in Hindi films , I succumbed to his charm completely.

That golden era  of Hindi films belonged to film industry’s towering triumvirate ; Dilip Kumar , Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor . Like other youngsters of my age , I was very much enamoured by the trio . So naturally for me , Shammi Kapoor was nowhere in the picture . While in school and college , I was intrigued by the fact that whenever any new film of Shammi Kapoor used to hit the cinema halls, class – rooms wore deserted look and seeing the empty class , our irritated teachers used to say few nasty words for Shammi Kapoor because majority of the boys had no quam in bunking the class for the first day , first show of a Shammi Kapoor film . I got intrigued and decided to uncover the persona and unravel the mystique of Shammi Kapoor , the dancing star , the rebel star . I started watching his films and to my amazement , realized that Hindi Cinema doesn’t belong to the above mentioned triumvirate alone but it consists of the quartet ; Dilip Kumar , Dev Anand , Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor . Without these four one cannot even think of Hindi cinema .

Dilip Kumar

With Dev Anand in His Office

In those days of my asinine childhood and carefree adolescence , Dilip Kumar symbolized romance and pain of the Nehru era , while Raj Kapoor was the face of Nehruvian socialism . Dev Anand represented urbane and educated youth of this nascent nation . Shammi Kapoor was unique because he gave face and voice to the aspirations of the emerging middle class youth . His first hit ” Tum Sa Nahin Dekha “ came in 1957 . It was the year of second general election also . First general election was held in 1952 .  So after testing democracy for five years , youth of India were bubbling with enthusiasm and ” I don’t give a damn ” kind of attitude . Their aspirations , their liking for good clothes and better life – style was palpable and Shammi Kapoor Saheb represented these feelings to the fullest . And naturally he became icon of the liberated youth of the nascent , new and emerging democratic India .It is not for nothing that he is called Rebel Star and Dancing Star of Hindi films .

So obviously , when I heard the news of his demise , an era ended for me . One more chapter of my growing years was lost completely .  I wanted to write the obituary  immediately but I thought that best moment to pay my last respect would be on the occasion of the release of his last film ” Rockstar “ . Ranbir Kapoor starrer ” Rockstar “ got released on November 11 , 2011 and it created history . It became legendary Shammi Kapoor‘s last film. It signals the end of one of the most glorious chapters of Hindi Cinema . It brings curtain down on the memories of legendary Shammi Kapoor . One more icon of my childhood left the world finally and ” Rockstar “  is the cruel reminder of that fact . The journey , which started with ” Jeevan Jyoti ” [ 1953] , ended with ” Rockstar ” [ 2011 ] . It is 58 years long , gigantic and glorious reel journey .

Shammi Kapoor in Teesri Manzil

Shamsher Raj Kapoor , better known as Shammi Kapoor started his career with ” Jeeva Jyoti “  [ 1953 ] , a film directed by Mahesh Kaul , who incidentally , years later gave break to Hema Malini in ” Sapno Ka Saudagar “  , who incidentally was his last romantic lead in ” Andaz ” [ 1971 ]. Chand Usmani was Shammi Kapoor’s first heroine in ” Jeevan Jyoti ” .

” Rail Ka Dibba ” [ 1953 ] , ” Laila Majnu ” [ 1953 ] , ” Shama Parwana ” [ 1954 ]  ,  ” Chor Bazar ” [ 1954 ] , ” Miss Coca Cola ” [ 1955 ] , ” Daku ” [ 1955 ] , ” Mem Sahib ” [ 1956 ] , ” Rangeen Ratein ” [ 1956 ] , ” Mirza Sahiban ” [ 1957 ] , ” Mujrim ” [ 1958 ]  and ” Char Dil Char Rahen ” [ 1959 ]  “ came in quick succession and most of them bombed miserably .

Shammi Kapoor in Teesri Manzil

Very few hits and 18 flops later, Shammi Kapoor became a major star with ” Tumsa Nahi Dekha ” [ 1957 ] , ” Dil Deka Dekho ” [ 1958 ] and ” Ujala ” [ 1959 ] . After this there were blitzkrieg of hugely successful films like ; “College Girl ” [1960 ] , ” Singapore ” [ 1960 ] , ” Boyfriend ” [ 1960 ] , ” Junglee ” [ 1961 ] , ” Dil Tera Diwana ” [ 1962 ] , ” Professor ” [ 1962 ] , ” China Town ” [ 1962 ] , ” Bluff Master ” [ 1963 ] , ” Rajkumar ” [ 1963 ] , ” Kashmir Ki Kali ” [ 1964 ] , ” Janwar ” [ 1965 ] , ” Teesri Manzil ” [ 1966 ] , ” Budtameez ” [ 1966 ] , ” An Evening In Paris ” [ 1967 ] , ” Laat Saheb ” [ 1967 ] , ” Brahmchari ” [ 1968 ] , ” Prince ” [ 1968 ]  , ” Tum Se Accha Kaun Hai ” [ 1969 ] , ” Sachchai ” [ 1969 ] , ” Pagla Kahin Ka ” [ 1970 ] , ” Andaz ” [ 1971 ] , ” Jawan Mohabbat ” [ 1971 ] , and ” Jaane Anjane ” [ 1971 ] . After last mentioned film , he stopped playing romantic lead .

Shammi Kapoor in Kashmir Ki Kaali

There after he started playing character roles and created some major milestones as well , ” Zameer ” [ 1974 ] , ” Manoranjan ” [ 1974 ] , ” Bundal Baaz ” [ 1976 ] , ” Parvarish ” [ 1977 ] , ” Shalimar “[ 1978 ] , ” Meera “[ 1989 ] , ” Rocky “[ 1981 ] , “Naseeb “[ 1981 ] , “Prem Rog “[ 1981 ] , ” Vishaata “[ 1982 ] , “Desh Premi “[ 1982 ] , “Hero “[ 1982 ] , ” Betab “[ 1983 ] and finally ” Rockstar “[ 2011 ] .

Among the above mentioned films ; ” Manoranjan ” [ 1974 ] and ” Bundal Baaz ” [ 1976 ] were his directorial ventures .

I consider myself fortunate that of the quartet of Dilip Kumar , Dev Anand , Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor , I Could meet all the three barring Raj Kapoor . In early 90s I had written a serial ” Mitti Ke Diye “ and along with my director , went to Shammi Kapoor Saheb‘s Malabar Hills apartment to narrate the story to him . We reached his Blue Heaven apartment in the morning and were ushered into his room . He was working on his computer . He greeted us warmly , told us to sit down and ordered tea for us .I narrated the story in trembling voice and to my utter shock and dismay he liked the story and agreed to work in the serial immediately .

The serial was not made because of my bad luck . But I still remember his towering personality , his booming voice and benign smile . He made me feel important , though he had achieved gigantic successes and I was a struggling nonentity . After some years I again bumped into him at the marriage reception of grand – daughter of legendary singer Mukesh . After that I could not meet or see him . I followed him on twitter , though . And then came the news of his illness and the death .

I feel blessed to meet you sir . I imbibed your spirit , your love and zest for life . I got your blessings and I know that it will guide me in the slippery world of film industry . Farewell sir ! I will definitely meet you in heaven to learn cinema from you . Till then , rest in peace sir !

There shall never , ever be another Shammi Kapoor .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

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